1. Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and brother Timothy, to our beloved coworker, Philemon. 2. and to sister Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow‑soldier, as well as to the church that meets in your house. 3. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. I always give thanks to my God, remembering to mention you in my prayers, 5. because I keep hearing about your love and your faith toward the Lord Jesus, and for all our fellow believers, 6. that your fellowship and your faith may become effective in the complete understanding of everything good that is ours in Christ. 7. I was really joyful and encouraged because of your love, since, through you, brother, the compassions of our fellow believers were refreshed.
8. For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9. I appeal instead, on the basis of love, since I, Paul, am an old man, and now I am also a prisoner for Christ Jesus, 10. I appeal to you concerning this child of mine, Onesimus, whom I fathered while in my chains, 11. who was formerly useless to you but now is useful to both of us. 12. I have sent him back to you. This one is my deepest affection. 13. I wanted to keep him with me, so that he might provide assistance to me on your behalf while I am in chains because of the gospel. 14. But without your input, I did not want to do anything, because your good deed should not be out of obligation but by your permission. 15. For it may be that he was separated from you for a time, so that you might have him back forever, 16. no longer as a slave, but more than a slave; a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the earthly realm and in the Lord.
17. So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would me. 18. If he has wronged you in anything or owes you anything, charge that to me. 19. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay you, so that I should not need to say to you that you owe even yourself to me. 20. Yes, brother, may I have this benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21. Having confidence that you would do as I request, I wrote to you, knowing that you will do even more than what I ask.
22. At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be granted to you. 23. Epaphras, my fellow‑prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24. as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke—my coworkers. 25. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.